Guajataca • Statistics for January

January: The Winter North Pulse Meets the Trades

January is the most promising month of the year for genuine north swell at Guajataca. The N, NNE, NE and NNW directions combine for just over 7% of the total wave spectrum, and the average period ticks up to 7.0s - enough to give the usual 2-3ft (0.5-1m) surf some punch. The dominant swell source is still ESE at 62.7%, with another 16.3% from the east, but those directions are far from ideal for a north-facing set-up and usually arrive as short-period trade swell. Wind is the main problem: ENE and E winds combine for around 70% of the observations, which puts a persistent cross-onshore texture on the face. Offshore S, SSW, SW and SSE winds are rare, though the 14% ideal-wind statistic includes lighter variable windows that can produce clean dawn sessions. Air temperatures average 25°C (19.8-30.1°C) and water temperature sits at 26.6°C. When a North Atlantic low gets the NAO negative and tracks east of Bermuda, the small N/NNW window can light up - keep your eye on the buoys and be ready to move fast.